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| Author | Topic: Chapel |
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specialcharley Member |
posted 02-04-2004 06:23 PM
 
Is the chapel obligatory in the castle? If so, can it be placed as a room in the donjon? |
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Levan Moderator |
posted 02-05-2004 05:02 PM
Many castles do not have chapels. I guess if you really wanted a chapel, you'd place it wherever suited you - generally its location would have been less important than defensive features. |
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Merlin Senior Member |
posted 02-06-2004 03:30 AM
As Levan said - not all castles had chapels. But all of them had some kind of small room or corner of a room with the function of a chapel, because religion was such an important part of everydays life in the middle ages. A chapel could indeed be placed inside the donjon. The small chapel of the Mörsburg (near Winterthur, Switzerland) is even placed inside the very thick outer wall of the main tower. |
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Levan Moderator |
posted 02-06-2004 01:29 PM
Although I agree about the importance of religion, I'm not sure I agree with Merlin's 'all'. I can think of many Scottish castles that have never had any such alcoves - not that I think we're all heathens - many communities already had their churches. Also in some countries there was a clear divide, and indeed rivalry, between church and secular society (quite a pronounced rift in the UK). Land owners didn't see why the church should be able to hold land and collect taxes in "their" territory! Many barons were jealous not only of the wealth of the church, but also their independence. |
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Levan Moderator |
posted 02-06-2004 01:31 PM
Just been pondering! I can think of several castles in England and Wales that have churches 'next door' rather than within their precincts, although that doesn't necessarily mean they didn't have religeous alcoves within. |
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Peter Member |
posted 02-07-2004 05:09 AM
Castles chapels have left some interesting pieces of medieval work. One instance is the remains of paintings on their walls. Many chapels were located in towers, with the castle priest living above/below. I recall visiting the one at Richmond last year (Yorkshire), where the chapel is at ground level, and the priests 'cell' situated above. |
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